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MACOMB, Ill.- The Western Illinois women's basketball team hits the road to continue its away game stretch with a pair of matchups at SIU-Edwardsville (Nov. 27) and at Missouri (Nov. 29).
A LOOK AT YOUR LEATHERNECKS:
The Leathernecks are coming off a 78-65 road win over Kansas City. For the first time since Feb. 25 of last season, the Leathernecks had two players record double-doubles. Emily Clemens finished with 20 points and 10 assists to go with seven rebounds, while Taylor Higginbotham finished with a season-high 24 points and 11 rebounds.
Clemens is currently tied for second in the nation in total assists (41) and sits tied for fourth in assists per game (8.2). She ranks just outside the top-10 (tied for 11th) in total steals this season (17). Behind her is junior Morgan Blumer, who is tied for 18th in the same category with 16 steals thus far. Clemens leads the team averaging 21.2 points with her 8.2 assists per game. Three other Leathernecks are averaging in double figures for scoring. Blumer is next with 14.4 points per game, followed by Higginbotham (11.8) and Taylor Hanneman (11.0).
Western Illinois is off to its best start since the 2005-06 season with a 4-1 record. A win over SIU-Edwardsville ties the 2005-06 team, who started 5-1.
SCOUTING THE COUGARS:
The Cougars sit at 1-3 overall, most recently picking up a 60-59 win over SIU Carbondale Wednesday (Nov. 23). SIUE has losses at South Dakota (75-69), at South Dakota State (82-49) and at Saint Louis (90-49). The Cougars opened their first three games on the road before picking up its first win at home against SIU Carbondale. WIU marks the second straight home game for SIUE.
The Cougars have two players who average in double figures for scoring in Donshel Beck (11.3 ppg) and Nakiah Bell (10.3 ppg). SIUE is led by head coach Paula Buscher, who is in her fifth season with the program.
WIU-SIUE CONNECTIONS:
Cougars assistant Todd Schultze previously spent 11 seasons with the Purple and Gold as an assistant coach, and also taught kinesology at Western.
SIUE assistant women's basketball coach Dodie Dunson previously served as the Director of Basketball Operations for two seasons for both the Leatherneck men and women's basketball programs.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS:
Missouri sits at 4-1 overall, with wins over Abilene Christian (52-46), at Nebraska (55-35), vs. Indiana State (77-48) and vs. Creighton (72-63). Their lone loss is at then-No.17/15 Washington, 79-66 (Nov. 17).
Prior to their matchup with Western Illinois, the Tigers play host to Georgia Tech on Saturday, Nov. 26. Cierra Porter leads the team thus far, averaging 14.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Sophie Cunningham follows with 13.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Robin Pingeton is in her seventh season coaching the Tigers, coming off a 22-win season in 2015-16 and a second-round NCAA Tournament appearance.
WIU-MIZZOU CONNECTIONS:
Western Illinois assistant coach Sydney Crafton is a 2013 alumnus of the University of Missouri. She also spent four seasons with the Tigers' basketball program, making 63 starts in 96 career games. In her senior year, the team captain started 27 of Missouri's 30 games.
SERIES HISTORY:
vs. SIUE (WIU leads all-time series 8-6)
vs. Mizzou (WIU trails 10-1)
Last season, Western Illinois snapped a four-game losing streak to the Cougars, winning 78-74 at home on Nov. 15.
The Leathernecks look for their second all-time win over Missouri, with the lone victory coming on Dec. 11, 1997 at home (68-66 overtime win).
FOLLOW THE GAME:
Fans can hear Danny Frey call all of the women's basketball regular season games throughout the area on the Leatherneck Sports Network.
All Western Illinois women's basketball regular season home games are scheduled to be video streamed on Fighting Leatherneck All-Access, and select games are slated to air on
WatchESPN/ESPN3.
Flagship: 94.3 FM WRMS (Beardstown) Affiliates: 102.7 FM WJEQ (Macomb) | 106.7 FM WPWQ (Quincy) | 107.5 FM KWBZ (Quincy).
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